BALTIMORE (June 17, 2010) - The Maryland Department of General Services has created a new Facebook account to give its customers an opportunity to use social media to allow them to see what the agency does to help them on a daily basis.

"Facebook is one of the nation's premier new media venues and I believe it is imperative that we should use this valuable communications and networking tool to let those we do business with know that DGS stands for Doing Great Service," DGS Secretary Alvin C. Collins said.

DGS joins several other State agencies that have opened Facebook accounts. The site features an agency mission statement, contact information, news releases and pictures and locations of some of the 55 buildings it owns or manages (with all to be posted soon). In the near-future, procurement issues, employment opportunities and other important DGS news items will also be posted on Facebook.

"We are encouraging all of our customers who have Facebook accounts to join us as 'friends' at Maryland DGS," Secretary Collins said. "This is a terrific opportunity for Facebook users to keep in touch with us."

The mission of the Maryland Department of General Services is to provide leading-edge professional and technical services to keep State and local government working today and in the future. The agency does this by by creating safe and secure work environments; designing, building, leasing, managing and maintaining facilities; leading energy conservation efforts; procuring goods and services; and providing essential functions such as fuel management, disposition of surplus property and records storage.